One Night With The Devil

7. In prison - Part 2

Erix led Yuna out of the palace, towards the arena where some of the warriors were training. He stood protectively in front of her so as to make sure no one eyed her with twisted ideas. She was precious to them, especially to his friend, who had taken a keen interest in her and he would be facing his wrath if something were to happen to her in the palace under his care.

Yuna did not notice the way Erix had moved in front of her. She was lost in the thoughts of her family, excited and sad at the same time about meeting them. Years had passed since she last talked to them in person and to think that they would be meeting in prison, in such a terrible situation, she felt her heart twisting in pain.

"This way, please." Erix led her towards a gray building situated far away from the palace but closer to the arena, and Yuna felt the coldness of the place hitting her as soon as the guards opened the door for them to enter in. She shivered in her place and lowered her head when she saw the guards. Although they showed no expressions on their faces, they frightened her beyond what she could comprehend and she clutched her dress tight to maintain her sanity.

Erix spotted her terrified look and he moved closer to her in assurance. "Ignore them, Lady Yuna. Nobody will hurt you here. I am here."

'Mind your words.' Erix heard Ezekiel's threat in his mind and he stiffened for a moment. The man was annoyed, he realized and he scratched his head, thinking of ways to rectify the situation.

"I mean none of the guards will hurt you. They would not dare to go against His Majesty's orders and our King has sent instructions to protect you at all times." Erix explained, making sure to emphasize his friend's good thoughts. 'Better?' He questioned the man who had been lingering in his mind since the time they had left the palace. He was keeping an eye on her through him and Erix's lips arched up when he thought of a strange possibility.

There was no answer from the man on the other side. 'Ezekiel, I will assume your silence as your acceptance. It looks like you have...."

'I would not finish those words if I were you.' Ezekiel warned, and Erix shut his mouth immediately. He led Yuna inside the prison and made sure she did not see the filth of the world she had never been exposed to. The lady was soft and gentle and it was better she did not come in contact with anyone who could possibly taint her innocence.

Yuna walked behind Erix, her eyes and ears alert and searching. While she looked for her family, she did not miss out on the other prisoners who were living a life worse than she could ever imagine.

"Please keep your eyes on me, Lady. They deserve their state." Erix stated, forcing her to avert her gaze away from one of the cells where two prisoners remained unconscious with their bodies filled with whip marks and bloody wounds.

Yuna's heart was pounding madly in fear and Erix pitied her for her predicament. It was all a ploy, he knew, and unknowingly, she had become a pawn in the game where His Majesty was the game master. She could not escape from Ezekiel's clutches, not now, not ever. The lady had intrigued the devil and she would never be able to free herself from him once he set his eyes on her.

Clicking his tongue softly as though he was admonishing the man who was listening to his thoughts silently, he led Yuna towards the last cell in the prison, the cell where her family was being kept.

Yuna ran towards her family as soon as she saw them, her eyes tearing up to see them in such a state. Although they were relatively fine compared to the other prisoners she had seen on her way, she was still devastated and she started weeping. While her father and her brothers were in one cell, her mother was imprisoned in the opposite cell.

"Father," She cried and held the bars tight as she called out to the people who were leaning against the wall with their eyes closed. They looked haggard and tattered and Yuna felt her heart twisting in pain.

"Yuna." Zachary was the first to spot his daughter and stood up immediately, forcing his heavy legs towards her. "Is that really you, Yuna?" He teared up when he saw his beloved daughter and extended his hand towards her and Yuna leaned forward immediately.

"It is me, Father. I am here."

Erix tactfully left the family to have a private space and even signaled the guards to leave them alone for some time.

"Yuna, you should not be here. Leave before it is too late." Her elder brother, Nathaniel stated as he too followed and stood beside their father. His gaze was filled with gentleness and love for his younger sister. But that did not stop him from being rational. They were in prison and Yuna must never be there.

"Brother Nathaniel," Yuna stretched her hand towards him, and even though he wanted her to leave as quickly as possible, he held her palm, clutching it tight to show his support and love.

"Sister, Elder Brother is right. You must leave here quickly. We do not want to put you in danger." Her younger brother, Henry, too added as he teared up, making Yuna all the more depressed.

"Yuna..."

Yuna heard her mother from behind and she looked at the woman who was oddly calm compared to the three agitated men.

"Mother..." Yuna let go of her father and brother's hands and rushed to her mother who was looking at her dotingly.

"Please forgive us, child. You had to see this incident the moment you returned home. We could not protect you." Emery lowered her eyes in guilt while Yuna shook her head.

"No, no, Mother. Please do not apologize, You did nothing wrong here." Yuna's tears rolled down her eyes as she sobbed lightly.

"Did you read the note I dropped for you?" Emery recovered quickly and looked at her daughter hopefully.

"Yes, Mother. I did and I met His Majesty." Yuna sniffled and wiped her tears.

"What did he say? Is he willing to help us?" Emery lowered her voice and Yuna realized at once that her mother had acted on her own accord and the three men did not know about her actions.

"Do not worry, Mother. I have spoken to His Majesty." Yuna did not clarify and wiped the residual tears from her face. She looked at her father and brothers, who were staring at her in confusion before she returned her gaze to her mother. "I will do everything in my might to get you out of this trouble. Please wait for me."